What’s your good day in port on a cruise? For some cruisers, it is enjoyable on the seaside, umbrella drink in hand. For others, it is all of the water sports activities. Your children may vote for an epic amusement park, whereas younger professionals could be trying to let free and occasion.
Royal Caribbean’s personal Bahamian island, Excellent Day at CocoCay, goals to create the perfect trip day for almost everybody with its plethora of sights. It options a number of seashores, an enormous pool, water play areas and thrill rides for teenagers and adults of all ages. Plus, there’s loads of eating areas and bars to maintain you fueled up for all of the enjoyable.
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A go to to the island can appear overwhelming at first. Which seaside do you select — or must you head straight for the pool? Do you have to e book an tour, or is there no want? Are you able to benefit from the island with out paying further or do you’ll want to cough up a whole bunch of {dollars} to have enjoyable?
On this information, I will take you on a complete tour, so you may get a greater sense of learn how to plan your good day the following time you go to Royal Caribbean’s Excellent Day.
Observe: Costs for actions and leases can differ primarily based on sail date and whether or not they’re booked pre-cruise, on board or on shore.
The place is Excellent Day at CocoCay?
Royal Caribbean’s Excellent Day at CocoCay is situated within the Bahamas. It is a part of the Berry Islands, northwest of Nassau and southeast of Freeport, each common cruise ports within the Bahamas. It is roughly 140 miles east of Miami.
The island sits simply to the west of Nice Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line’s personal island, and you’ll see that island and visiting NCL ships from Excellent Day.
The island is smaller than 1 mile lengthy and 1/3 mile vast.
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Associated: Bahamas cruise information: Finest itineraries, planning ideas and issues to do
Which cruise ships go there?
Almost each Royal Caribbean ship within the fleet will go to Excellent Day at CocoCay sooner or later, both throughout a season of Caribbean or Bahamas cruises or throughout a repositioning voyage from one cruise vacation spot to a different.
It is simpler to record the ships that will not be visiting the island. Via April 2025, ships that will not ever dock at Royal Caribbean’s personal island embrace:
- Brilliance of the Seas
- Navigator of the Seas
- Ovation of the Seas
- Quantum of the Seas
- Spectrum of the Seas
It was once that solely Royal Caribbean ships often referred to as at Excellent Day, however now sister cruise line Movie star Cruises is moving into the motion. Starting in April 2024, Movie star Reflection will sail three- and four-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale that may go to the personal island. Different Movie star ships that may name on the island a handful of instances in 2024 and 2025 embrace:
How do you get to and round Excellent Day at CocoCay?
Two cruise ships at a time can dock on the lengthy pier jutting out from Excellent Day at CocoCay. Passengers can stroll off the ship through the gangway as a substitute of taking a young boat, as they could must on different cruise traces’ personal islands.
As soon as on the island, pathways result in the varied seashores and sights. It is not really that far to get anyplace across the island, however when the Bahamian solar is thrashing down on you, it may well really feel lots longer. In accordance with the map, it is 14 minutes from the arrivals plaza to the farthest seaside, Cove Seaside. However you may have your toes within the sand inside three minutes of stepping foot on the island.
For individuals who cannot or do not need to stroll the lengthy pier from the ship to the island and from the arrivals plaza to the seaside, Royal Caribbean runs a fleet of electrical trams that run each quarter-hour. Stops embrace Thrill Waterpark, South Seaside, Coco Seaside Membership, Oasis Lagoon, Chill Island and Up, Up and Away. Wait on the tram stations for a pickup.
Associated: A information to cruise line personal islands: What they’re and what you may count on
What are the Excellent Day seashores?
Excellent Day at CocoCay has six seashores and the Coco Seaside Membership. It may be overwhelming attempting to determine the place to go first whenever you step foot on the island. However you actually cannot go flawed — and for those who do, simply stand up and go some other place!
The seashores have completely different vibes, and a few are nearer to or farther from the arrivals plaza or different facilities reminiscent of eating and seaside sports activities. Let that mixture determine your first vacation spot. All have complimentary lounge chairs with seaside umbrellas (so good to not must pay for shade!) and lifeguards.
CocoCay’s seven seashores are:
Chill Island
The closest predominant seaside on Excellent Day is Chill Island, a 5- to 10-minute stroll from the arrivals plaza. Right here you will discover two large and one small sheltered bays with calm water. One finish has daybeds and the opposite cabanas to lease, and within the center are the open-to-all lounge chairs. Within the center is the Island Marketplace for procuring and the Chill Grill, one of many two predominant complimentary barbecue lunch venues on Excellent Day at CocoCay.
Breezy Bay at Chill Island
Past the rocky breakwaters of Chill Island is Breezy Bay at Chill Island, a smaller, much less protected seaside. The shore excursions and kayak rental huts are on the nook the place the 2 seashores meet, and your jet ski excursions will depart from this seaside, as nicely. Daybeds can be found to lease.
There is a Snack Shack between Breezy Bay and the Oasis Lagoon pool, however in any other case you are not so near meals on this seaside.
Harbor Seaside
Harbor Seaside surrounds the Harbor Lagoon, the calmest waters on the island because the lagoon solely has one slim outlet to the ocean. This seaside is right for households with younger children because it’s near each predominant lunch spots, the Splashaway Bay water play space and the Oasis Lagoon pool. And it is not removed from the ship.
Seaside Level
This tiny seaside space on the opposite aspect of the bridge from the arrivals plaza is Excellent Day’s occasion venue. Weddings are held right here, and you may lease out the realm for different personal capabilities as nicely. There is no swimming outlet right here, so you will have to make the brief trek to Chill Seaside to get moist.
Coco Seaside Membership
In case your concept of an ideal day resides the VIP life-style, you will need to purchase entry to Excellent Day at CocoCay’s unique Coco Seaside Membership. Your go will get you entry to the personal seaside, infinity pool and upscale beachside restaurant and bar.
Pricing for a Coco Seaside Membership day go can differ wildly. Of us on-line say they are a deal at $89 per individual however can run greater than $200 per individual. Maintain a watch out for gross sales. Cabanas and daybeds within the seaside membership value further, however the value to lease one contains the day go.
South Seaside
South Seaside, like its namesake, is the occasion seaside, primarily as a result of floating bar simply offshore and the sports activities courts behind. You’ll be dared to leap off the bar’s platform together with your beer or “chug, chug, chug” with your pals. When you get right here, through tram or nature path, every part is at your fingertips. There is a Snack Shack for lunch, Coconut Willie’s bar for those who favor to not swim to your cocktail, loos, leases and the aforementioned sports activities areas.
Cove Seaside
Previous the exclusive-access cabana and daybed space of South Seaside is Cove Seaside, the farthest stretch of sand from the ship. No roads lead right here; it’s important to hoof it down the seaside from the South Seaside tram cease.
What are one of the best Excellent Day at CocoCay issues to do?
When you do not love the sensation of sand between your toes, you have received loads of different methods to maintain busy and get moist on Excellent Day at CocoCay. In any case, not everybody’s ideally suited time out appears the identical.
The one factor that another personal islands have, however Excellent Day doesn’t, is a spa.
Thrill Waterpark
The very first thing you’ll discover about Royal Caribbean’s personal island, together with from the ship, is its big multicolored waterslide tower rising above the tree line. This iconic landmark is the 135-foot-tall Daredevil’s Peak (the tallest waterslide in North America, based on the road) and it is the signature attraction at Thrill Waterpark.
The park, accessed simply off the arrivals plaza, shouldn’t be included in your cruise fare and you have to to buy entry through the shore excursions desk in your ship (or on-line earlier than your cruise). When you’re paid up, simply scan your SeaPass card for entry.
The fun zone is split into a number of sections. You may discover a wave pool, an Journey Pool with watery impediment programs, Daredevil’s Peak with its seven slides (together with drop slides, a virtually vertical slide and racing slides) and Splash Summit, the extra family-focused slide space. Right here, you may strive a one- or two-person raft slide, a four-person raft slide that races up a wall earlier than splashing again down and four-way racing slides.
You have to be a minimal of 48 inches tall to trip most Satan’s Tower waterslides (40 inches for the dual racing slides). The minimal top for the Splash Summit slides is 42 inches, although for the raft slides, you have to be 48 inches to trip with no life jacket or grownup supervision. Put together to step on a scale earlier than being allowed to climb the steps up the slide towers.
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Thrill Water Park. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Facilities within the water park embrace loads of lounge chairs, cabanas for lease, lockers, a Snack Shack and a bar to present mother and pa some liquid braveness.
Observe: There’s little pure shade on this space, and it may well get scorching strolling between the slides or from the splashdown pool again as much as the highest of the slide to trip once more. For max enjoyment, go to the water park very first thing within the morning or later within the afternoon when the traces have died down. Nobody needs to attend 45 minutes within the scorching solar for a trip.
Zip line
Cruisers searching for some high-flying journey with glorious island views can signal as much as trip Excellent Day at CocoCay’s zip line (for a charge). The 1,600-foot course has three segments that go over the Thrill Waterpark and the Harbor Lagoon.
You may have to buy zip line entry as you’d any shore tour, after which examine in on the island close to the Thrill Waterpark entrance. Lockers can be found to retailer your valuables when you trip. You have to be a minimum of 4 toes tall and between 75 and 275 kilos to trip.
Captain Jill’s Galleon and Splashaway Bay
Little children have their very own water play areas on Excellent Day at CocoCay, and in contrast to the primary water park, they’re free to make use of.
Captain Jill’s Galleon is a pirate ship-shaped play construction with slides, water cannons and fountains. It is good for the littlest cruisers, however grownups can benefit from the views from the highest.
Splashaway Bay on the island is just like the onboard variations with a climbing construction, water sprayers, dump bucket and tame waterslides for youthful guests. Get there early if you wish to snag a seat within the shade.
Kids in swim diapers are allowed in all swimming pools, seashores and water play areas on the island.
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Splashaway Bay. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Oasis Lagoon
Uninterested in the seaside? Excellent Day at CocoCay additionally has an enormous pool referred to as the Oasis Lagoon for many who favor a extra chlorinated, much less wavy dip.
Households have a tendency to stay to the far finish of the pool with its sloping entry and delicate fountains. The occasion crowd gathers across the swim-up bar and its blaring DJ beats. (Critically, it is the spring break I by no means had, and a mecca for all of the bachelor, bachelorette and birthday teams.) Wandering bartenders will promote you loopy cocktails in memento glasses, so you will not go thirsty whenever you climb out of the pool to dry off.
A pleasant hybrid space is the part of pool on the opposite aspect of the bridge, the place you may hear the music however aren’t within the bar fray.
The pool has quite a few little nooks the place you will discover in-the-water seats and tables to your drinks or undulating loungers within the shallows. The pool is surrounded by loads of loungers, rinse-off showers, loos, racks of swim vests and rental cabanas.
The closest lunch choices to the pool are the Breezy Bay Snack Shack and Skipper’s Grill.
Up, Up and Away balloon trip
I’ve visited Excellent Day at CocoCay twice, and I’ve by no means seen the Up, Up and Away tethered balloon trip in motion. A spokesperson for the road tells me it “is briefly closed for upkeep till additional discover.”
The colourful helium balloon might be seen across the island, and when it is operational, friends can e book 10-minute rides to soar 450 toes into the air. The balloon is tethered, so that you solely go up and down moderately than circling the island.
Seaside leases
You’ll be able to lease floating mats from three stations, one on South Seaside and two on Chill Island. You’ll be able to choose up snorkel gear for private use on the snorkel shack on Chill Island close to Seaside Level.
Sports activities and video games
When you want a free adrenaline enhance on the island, you may get your aggressive spirit going at two sports activities pavilions on Excellent Day at CocoCay. One is situated at Breezy Bay and the opposite on South Seaside.
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Bean bag toss. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
On the pavilions, you will discover arduous and sand courts for basketball, volleyball, cornhole/baggo and different video games. All are free to make use of.
You’ll not discover any crew-led video games for teenagers on the island.
What are the excursions at Excellent Day?
Along with the main actions and sights on island, you may e book a number of excursions that may take you off the island — or a minimum of out into the water. Personally, I would save my tour funds for a special island because the complimentary swimming pools and seashores are so good (or for the water park), however you have received a couple of good choices for those who’re eager about water sports activities.
Excursions embrace:
- Licensed scuba dive with or with out tools
- One-hour glass backside boat trip
- Guided kayak journey in two-person kayaks
- Kayak and snorkel journey combo (guided kayak plus unbiased snorkeling)
- Guided Wave Jet tour on a Sea-Doo jet ski
- Reef snorkeling by boat
- Sandbar getaway with snorkeling and water toys
- Swiming pigs tour within the northern Berry Islands
Associated: Shore excursions: What you’ll want to know
Does Excellent Day at CocoCay provide cabanas to lease?
If you wish to reserve a personal house on the island, you could have choices starting from seaside beds to overwater cabanas. You may have to determine what kind of unique hangout you want, in addition to the place on the island you’d prefer it be.
Observe that pricing will differ by cruise and cabana location. Royal Caribbean lists costs per daybed or cabana, not per individual.
Royal Caribbean rents seaside beds on Breezy Bay, Chill Island and South Seaside. The double beds sit atop a wood platform with a full roof and open sides, with curtains for some measure of privateness. Your rental comes with two lounge chairs with an umbrella, two floating mats, a cooler with 4 complimentary bottles of water and towels.
The value you will pay is per mattress, not per individual, and every mattress can accommodate 4 folks.
When you’re searching for a extra substantial retreat, you even have a number of choices for cabana leases on Excellent Day.
Associated: Final information to cruise ship cabanas
Chill Island cabanas
The Chill Island Cabanas are situated on the finish of Chill Island by Breezy Bay, farthest from the ship. The attendant famous that whereas they’re located on a beautiful protected bay, the cabanas are removed from the island’s facilities. If you wish to cover away in your cabana all day, they’re an awesome alternative, however if you’d like a extra interactive or social seaside day, South Seaside could be a greater wager.
Every cabana is a wood hut with an open entrance, thatched roof and entrance patio space. The inside is furnished with a sectional couch, cooler stocked with complimentary water and a storage chest. 4 lounge chairs sit out entrance.
A cabana attendant will carry you drinks (at going charges) and meals from the Snack Shack menu, in addition to towels throughout your keep.
Every cabana can maintain eight folks for a similar value. You’ll be able to add two extra (for a complete of 10) for $50 per individual extra.
Oasis Lagoon cabanas
The Oasis Lagoon cabanas are similar to the Chill Island variations, besides they’re nestled within the greenery on the outskirts of Excellent Day at CocoCay’s gigantic pool. They’re an awesome place to crash after some arduous partying by the swim-up bar, or for folks to chill out with children tuckered out from enjoying within the pool’s shallow space.
These cabanas have a tough restrict of eight folks.
South Seaside cabanas
The South Seaside cabanas are the identical thatched-roof hideouts that you will discover on Chill Island or by the Oasis Lagoon, however they’re situated on the center of South Seaside between Coco Seaside Membership and the South Seaside daybed space.
The cabana base fee is for eight occupants, however you may pay $50 further per individual so as to add one other two friends (for a complete of 10).
Thrill Waterpark cabanas
The Thrill Waterpark cabanas are the proper locations for folks to chill out whereas their offspring get moist and wild on the slides and within the energetic swimming pools.
The brightly coloured cabanas are scattered all through the water park. They’re extra of a primary design than the thatched-roof cabanas — merely a platform with 4 wood posts holding up privateness curtains and an umbrella-style roof. The cabanas are outfitted with a sectional couch, resort chairs, two retailers and a cooler and a few lounge chairs with a shade umbrella in entrance.
Cabana attendants will carry you meals and extra-fee drinks. Your charge contains passes for as much as six folks to the water park. You’ll be able to invite two extra friends for $50 per individual, however they will even have to buy water park day passes individually.
Coco Seaside Membership
Coco Seaside Membership is the unique, restricted-access space of Excellent Day. You have got three choices for learn how to acquire entrance to this personal seaside space with its infinity pool and upscale restaurant.
Probably the most reasonably priced choice (although it is not low-cost by any means) is to buy a day go to the seaside membership. This gives you entry to the pool, restaurant and bar, and the loungers and umbrellas on the personal seaside space.
Or, you may improve with a seaside cabana, situated alongside the unique beachfront. These are a extra upscale model of the cabanas discovered all through the island.
The thatched roof huts are open on all 4 sides with privateness curtains, and have a deck with 4 wood loungers and a shade umbrella. Inside, chill out on a classy sectional couch or padded resort chairs. There’s locked storage, a minifridge, charging retailers and complimentary snorkel gear.
When you actually need to dwell it up, go all out with a floating cabana, which Royal Caribbean claims are the primary overwater bungalows within the Bahamas. They’re set on a dock jutting out from the seaside and have comparable furnishings to the seaside cabanas with the addition of a round eating desk for 4 and a moist bar. Every additionally has its personal slide into the ocean, a two-person overwater hammock and a freshwater bathe.
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Seaside cabana at Coco Seaside Membership. TIM AYLEN/ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Every of the ten seaside cabanas and 20 overwater bungalows accommodates eight folks and comes with the providers of a cabana attendant. For the overwater cabanas, for those who want to add one or two friends, you will have to pay $50 per individual further plus the price of a Seaside Membership go. Even on this extra-free enclave, you will have to pay further for all drinks you order (until you beforehand bought a beverage package deal).
Is meals included on Excellent Day at CocoCay?
Sure, a number of venues serve a complimentary barbecue lunch on Excellent Day at CocoCay.
The 2 predominant venues are Skipper’s Grill (overlooking the Harbor Lagoon, simply previous Splashaway Bay on the primary path) and Chill Grill (between Harbor Seaside and Chill Island). They serve lunch from 11:30 a.m. to three p.m. with stations for burgers and scorching canines, grilled rooster, tacos, salads, fruit and desserts (do not miss the caramel brownies). Each have drinks stations, soft-serve ice cream machines and a bar.
Seating is at colourful picnic tables with shade umbrellas.
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ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
You do not have to trek throughout the island for lunch for those who’ve chosen lounge chairs away from the grills. Three Snack Shack outposts — one inside Thrill Waterpark, one on South Seaside and one between the Oasis Lagoon and Breezy Bay — make sure you’re by no means removed from a meal.
The Snack Shacks are huts with a number of order-up home windows the place you may entry a extra restricted menu than at Skipper’s or Chill Grill. You’ll be able to select from sandwiches (burgers, scorching canines, crispy rooster), varied salads, mozzarella sticks, french fries and dessert (together with funnel muffins). You may discover drinks and fruit, too.
Take your choices again to your lounge chair or seize a spot at a close-by picnic desk. Snack Shacks are open longer hours, from 10:30 a.m. to three:30 p.m.
When you’ve paid for entry to the Coco Seaside Membership, you’ll dine at its upscale restaurant and may order dishes reminiscent of lobster and steak unavailable on the island’s grill venues.
In contrast to the opposite eating places on the island, Seaside Membership passholders nonetheless have to make reservations for lunch instances on the restaurant. Make them on board on embarkation day; for those who wait till you are on the island, the sooner eating instances will possible be taken.
Captain Jack’s, the big bar situated on the entrance of the park, has a meals counter serving rooster wings and steak fries for an additional charge from 11 a.m. to three p.m. It appears foolish to me to pay for meals on the bar when the complimentary Skipper’s Grill is a brief stroll away, however for those who’re buzzing and do not need to go away the bar, know you could have snacks shut at hand.
Does my drink package deal work on Excellent Day at CocoCay?
You might be by no means removed from a beer or frozen cocktail on Excellent Day at CocoCay. Even higher, in contrast to at another cruise line personal islands, your onboard drink package deal is accepted on the island. Simply present your SeaPass with its particular sticker and you will not must pay one other cent to your pina coladas or White Claws.
The island has eight named bars and 5 anonymous bar stands. Roving waiters will take orders and produce drinks to your lounge chair, as nicely.
The bars on Excellent Day at CocoCay embrace:
Captain Jack’s Bar: The primary bar you will see, proper by the arrivals plaza, has coated and uncovered seating, a row of swing seats and a stage for dwell music.
Oasis Lagoon Bar: The pool’s swim-up bar is normally packed, however for those who get out and stroll round to the land-based aspect, you will discover hardly any clients.
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ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Wacky Seagull and Wacky Seagull Jr. Bars: These bars service both finish of Chill Island. You may discover one by the seaside leases kiosk and the opposite by the shore excursions kiosk. The signature drink right here is the Coco Loco.
The Cracked Coconut Bar: This bar serves the Harbor Seaside crowd and is a enjoyable place to observe the zip liners come flying by.
Floating Bar: Its title tells you all you’ll want to know. This bar on a raft simply off South Seaside rapidly will get loud and rowdy with the occasion crowd. It is surrounded by palapa-covered tables within the water and round floating mats.
South Seaside Bar: That is the closest watering gap to the South Seaside cabanas and daybeds and Cove Seaside.
Coconut Willie’s Bar: The land-based bar on South Seaside is near the sports activities courts.
Is there procuring on Excellent Day at CocoCay?
Whether or not you are searching for souvenirs or want to select up the sunscreen or swim goggles you forgot to pack, you will discover what you are searching for on the outlets of the CocoCay Island Market between the central portion of Chill Island and Harbor Seaside. You may also get your hair braided.
There’s additionally a CocoCay Brand Store throughout from Splashaway Bay, by the again exit of the water park.
All outlets will settle for U.S. {dollars} or your SeaPass card as cost.
What further facilities will I discover?
Restrooms and seaside showers are scattered all through the island and are nicely marked on the maps. You may additionally discover towel trade kiosks, designated smoking areas, lockers and first help stations.
You’ll be able to take a look at towels from the ship or as soon as on shore, however you need to return to the ship with the identical variety of towels you took with you and examine again in with the towel station simply after the safety screening. You can’t return moist towels on the island until you initially checked them out from an onshore kiosk.
The island is Wi-Fi-enabled with Royal Caribbean’s Voom web. Your onboard Wi-Fi package deal will get you entry on the island as nicely.
Seaside wheelchairs and seaside strollers with extra-thick tires for navigating Excellent Day at CocoCay’s sandy shores can be found to borrow all through the island.
Are you able to keep in a single day on Excellent Day at CocoCay?
You’ll be able to solely have an ideal day and never an ideal night time on CocoCay.
You may see loads of beds on the island, however they’re daybeds for lease. Your cruise ship will go away the island within the afternoon, and the one individuals who spend the night time are a handful of workers members who dwell on the island.
What is the typical climate like ?
The Bahamas has nice climate year-round. Anticipate highs within the low 80s through the winter and low 90s through the summer season. You will not discover a ton of pure shade when strolling round Excellent Day at CocoCay, and the solar is extremely sturdy. Reapply sunscreen extra typically than you assume you’ll want to, to keep away from burning!
The rainiest months listed below are June, August and September. Hurricane season runs June by means of November, with the height time for storms August by means of October. Your ship won’t name on Excellent Day if circumstances are unsafe.
Do not let a wet forecast get you down. Like in different tropical locations, rain showers are likely to go rapidly and you may see them coming. I received caught in a downpour for about an hour on my most up-to-date go to, so I hid beneath an umbrella and ate lunch. Earlier than and after the bathe, I loved the seaside, pool and sights with no drawback.
Observe that if lightning is seen, the lifeguards are required to ship everybody out of the water till they get the all-clear.
Excellent Day at CocoCay could not present up on main climate web sites, however you may search on the Berry Islands or Nice Harbour Cay within the Bahamas to return shut.
Associated: Finest time to cruise to Bahamas
Can I see a Excellent Day at CocoCay map?
Certain! Here’s a map of the island that can assist you plan your day. You may also discover a map in your Royal Caribbean app, but it surely’s awkward as a result of it’s important to zoom in an excessive amount of to see something clearly. Your greatest wager is to select up a paper map at your ship’s shore excursions desk earlier than you head out to the island.
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